Sami Hyypia tips Joao Teixeira for the top

Brighton manager Sami Hyypia is predicting a rosy future for Liverpool loanee Joao Teixeira after the Portuguese playmaker scored for the second game running in a 2-1 home victory over Bolton.

Teixeira, who opened his account for the Seagulls at Leeds, hit Albion's second-half winner at the Amex Stadium after striker Craig Mackail-Smith struck just before half-time to cancel out a 25th-minute opener from Matt Mills.

Hyypia exploited his contacts at Liverpool - where he played for 10 years - to add a creative edge to his squad, and he rates the 21-year-old Teixeira highly.

He said: "Joao is a very good player. We also need quality from the other players and if we manage to do that we'll get Joao on the ball and he'll be dangerous.

"It's going to be a good test for him. His goal is to play at the highest level and he's on the right track.

"We need to keep him strong and training well, and his mentality must be right."

Teixeira has represented Portugal at Under 21 level, and Hyypia is convinced Brighton's style of play will suit him.

The Finn added: "He likes to be on the ball and do his best work in the final third of the pitch. He's got a great opportunity and we'll push him to improve himself."

The Seagulls have not recovered from behind to win many games in recent seasons, and Hyypia stressed: "There was no need to change the game plan when Bolton scored. There was plenty of time to come back."

Bolton were forced to change their goalkeeper when Adam Bogdan suffered a head injury at the time of Mackail-Smith's equaliser, and boss Dougie Freedman described this as a "huge blow".

Replacement Andy Lonergan did not look assured after coming off the bench and Freedman admitted: "The loss of the keeper was a factor.

"Adam received a huge gash in the eye and concussion and we have to respect the doctor. He said he was out cold."

Bolton's poor start to the season has seen them take just one point from their opening four league games, but Freedman felt that on another day they would have clinched something from the game.

He added: "The match went a bit flat in the second half and both sides had chances but Brighton packed the box late on.

"There was not a lot in the game, we had a couple of chances as did Brighton and we felt quite comfortable at times.

"But we need to take encouragement out of this .We need to dig in and hang on a bit longer in games. This was an even sort of match and at the minute we are coming out of it just the wrong side."